The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-15
REV. DIR. JOSEPH PARKER.
Something Abont the London Clergyman
Who Is Likely Succeed Beecher.

KEW. D1S. JOSEFh PAhhEhs
Something Abonr the London Clergyman
Who Is Likely 20 Succeed Beecher.
Chicago News.
A strong element in Plymouth Church, Brook
Ign, is in favor of engaging DIR. Parker as sue
cessor to Mr.. Beecher. He will be the orator at
the Beecher memorial meeting to be held on
June "a. the anniversary of Mr.. Beecher's birth.
and Plymouth Church has passed a resolutions
extending its hospitality to him during his visit,
and inviting him 10 occupy the pulpit at such
times as it may be found convenient for him TO
DO So The London preacher. 1t will be femem-
bered. entertained Mr. and Mrs Beecher during
their visit to London last year. He has long
been one of the great preachers most ardent ad-
mirers, and their personal intimacy was one of
afectionate friendship.
DE- Parkers public life began with his being a
Wesleyan Methodist local preacher in England,
the country Of his birth. He was candidate
for the ministry of that body at time when it
was torn by internal strife and mutilated by
great loss of membership. Hence no men
were received, and Mr.. Parker's ministerial as
plratons were temporarily checked Joining
the Congregational denomination of which he is
now pillar of strength, ne was encouraged to
continue preparations for ministerial life, and in
time was chosen pastor of church at Banbury.
Oxfordshre. His ministry there was popular
and influential, and he outerew his sphere, Ban
bury being only small town. He accepted a
call to Cayendlsh Chapel, Manchester, where he
was immensely popular. In 1869 he was invited
" ocCouo postol VI Aouitry Cudpei, LOuuOu,
anc consented.
At the beginning of his pastorate there he
established a service for business men on Thurs
day from noon to l. He has continued such
service ever since. From the first it has been
success. The ground upon which Poultry Chapel
stood was needed for city improvement at the
time when the construction of the Holburn via
duct was in progress Ground in the rev thor
oughfare was purchased, and the City Temple
where DR.. Parker now breaches. puit The
City Temple was completed and dedicated early
in the autumn of 1873. Its Thursday noon serv-
ice is attended by not only business men, but by
ministers of all denominations, who sometimes
seem to form the larger part of the congrega-
ton. 1t is supposed that DR.. Parker breaches to
more ministers than any other man IN the world.
In 1873 he attended the meeting of the
Evangelical Alliance in New York when he
formed the personal acquaintance of Henry
Ward Beecher. At the close of the Tilton-
Beecher scandal DR.. Parker presented to his
church on Sunday morning a resolution of
sympathy with aud confidence in Mr. Beecher,
assuring them that he had read every word of
the trial, and fully believed in the innocence of
the Plymouth pastor This resolution was unan-
imously adopted by the vast congregation, and
at once telegraphed to Plymouth Church. The
reply was read at the evening service of the
same day In 1877 Dr. Parker started weekly
journal, which has large circula-
tiop, A few years ago this eminent
minister was elected chairman of the Congrega-
tionai Union He is the author of many homi-
letic and theological works. One of his earliest
volumes was an answer to .'Ecce Homo" 1t
was entitled "Ecce Deus" Many volumes of his
sermons have been published. His greatest
work, on which he is now engaged, is homi
letic Bible commentary The Doctor is an orig
inal thinker, fearless in ntterance, bold in de-
nunciation, and at the same time of smypa-
thetic and kindly nature. His simple and strong
presentation of what he believes to be true is
delivered with an extraordinary weight and
force of utterance, assisted by powerful pres
ence
In the parliamentary election of $780, DR..
Parker announced himself as Liberal candidate
for the city of London, but afterwards with
drew in favor of the regular party nominee
He is a stanch admirer and supporter of Mr.
| Gladstone, and it in his church, at con-
| vention of ministers, that the great statesman.
| who is a communicate of the Church of Eng
| land, gave that expression to his views on
| preaching which led to his being invited to
| preach in dissenting pupts in practical iilustra-
ton of his theory. Mr.. Gladstone declined these
| invitations.